If your mouth contains old metal fillings, have you ever thought about replacing them? Some people decide to make the switch simply for the looks, but there are also people that do this for other reasons. Here are three reasons you may want to consider having your old metal fillings replaced by your dentist.
Exposure to Mercury
A silver filling contains mercury. While most dentists believe that mercury fillings are completely safe, others feel that the mercury could leak out, which can lead to health issues. If you are worried about being exposed to this harmful element, you could have a dentist remove all your silver fillings. The fillings could then be replaced with other types, such as composite fillings.
Reduced Chance of Further Problems
Another reason to consider replacing your old fillings with new ones is because it can be hard for a dentist to see what is under a metal filling. During a dental checkup, the dentist will visually examine your teeth and will take x-rays. X-rays offer a better idea of what is going on with a person's teeth; however, metal fillings get in the way.
When there is a metal filling, the x-ray does not show what is behind that tooth. Because of this, dentists often fail to find problems that are beginning to form. When this happens, the problem will worsen and could leave a person in need of a root canal.
It's much easier to fix a small problem with a tooth than to fix a major problem. If your dentist believes that there may be issues with your teeth that contain metal fillings, it might be a good idea to consider replacing them.
Your Appearance
The third reason is the most common reason for replacing metal fillings with composite ones. If you do not like the way your metal fillings look, replacing them with white fillings will solve this problem. Composite fillings are always white, but your dentist can select a shade of white that blends perfectly with your teeth. When you get rid of the metal fillings and replace them with white ones, it may help you feel better about your appearance and yourself.
Before you make an appointment with a dentist to have your fillings replaced, make sure you talk it over with him or her first. Your dentist may be able to give you more information to help you make a wise, informed decision about this.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!